Packers’ Matt LaFleur Drops 2-Word Message on Christian Watson’s Potential Return
The Green Bay Packers are 3-1-1 and in first place in the NFC North. The Packers are coming off a 27-18 win over the Cincinnati Bengals in Green Bay, and they now travel west to face the Arizona Cardinals in the first of a two-game road trip.
Ahead of Week 7, the status of wide receiver Christian Watson has been a talking point. The Packers’ WR1 suffered a torn ACL in last year’s regular-season finale against the Chicago Bears and has yet to play since the injury.
Watson returned to practice following the team’s bye week, and there was hope he would play in Week 7 against the Cardinals.
On Thursday, head coach Matt LaFleur offered a brief answer when asked if they would bring Watson back this week.
“We’ll see,” LaFleur said, via Matt Schneidman of The Athletic.
Christian Watson’s Practice Return is Encouraging
While Watson’s status remains up in the air, LaFleur did add that Watson has “looked great” in his return to practice.
“He looks great, it’s just trying to build up where we feel comfortable for him to perform….and also where he feels he has enough practice in as well,” LaFleur said on Thursday.
Matt LaFleur when asked about Christian Watson potential return this week: “We’ll see…..he looks great its just trying to build up where we feel comfortable for him to perform….and also where he feels he has enough practice in as well.”
A video surfaced on Wednesday of Watson running routes at practice, and the Packers WR looks like he could be ready to take the field sooner rather than later.
Brandon McManus normally kicks Wednesdays, but he’s in sweats and sneakers today. Lucas Havrisik is suited up to kick.
Devonte Wyatt, Lukas Van Ness and Zach Tom not practicing. Anthony Belton returned to practice. Dontayvion Wicks also practicing.
Here’s Christian Watson, who
Watson, who was selected in the second round of the 2022 NFL Draft out of North Dakota State, caught 41 passes for 611 yards with seven scores in 14 games during his rookie season.
He played just nine games in 2023 due to injuries, catching 28 passes for 422 yards and five scores.
In 2024, he played in 15 games, but managed just 29 catches for 620 yards and two touchdowns, so there is still room for improvement for the young WR.
Currently, tight end Tucker Kraft leads the team in receiving yards with 268 and is tied with Romeo Doubs for catches with 18, so there is a big need for Watson to provide a spark to the offense.
Could Watson’s Return Signal a WR Trade?
With Watson returning at some point, whether it is this week or next, and the NFL Trade Deadline approaching, it could make sense for Green Bay to trade a wide receiver.
While Doubs’ name has surfaced again in rumors, the New York Giants reportedly have inquired about a WR trade with the Packers.
The report mentions Watson, Doubs and Dontayvion Wicks, so Watson’s coming back to the team could spell the end of the road for Wicks in Green Bay.
Whether or not the Packers make a trade remains to be seen, but the WR room will be even more crowded once Watson returns.
While the hope is that Watson can return and make his 2025 season debut against the Cardinals, if it doesn’t happen this week, the next game takes place on Sunday Night Football against the Pittsburgh Steelers on the road in the Aaron Rodgers revenge game.
All in all, Watson’s return is imminent, and clarity should be provided in the coming days.
Ravens Legend Ray Lewis Urges NFL to Investigate Referees After Steelers’ Controversial Loss to Bengals: “They Got Robbed, and the League Can’t Ignore This.”

Cincinnati, OH – October 14, 2025 — Even the fiercest rival the Pittsburgh Steelers have ever known couldn’t stay silent after what unfolded on Thursday Night Football. Ravens Hall of Famer
Ray Lewis — the face of Baltimore’s defensive legacy — has broken his silence following the Steelers’ heartbreaking 31–33 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals, calling for an official NFL investigation into what he labeled
“a disgrace to the game.”
“No one wanted the Steelers to lose more than I did — but not like this,” Lewis said. “The Steelers got robbed, and everyone who watched that game knows it. Those calls weren’t just wrong — they stole what this team fought for.”
His words echoed across the league, igniting an instant storm online as fans and analysts questioned the officiating that tilted momentum in Cincinnati’s favor. Two pivotal calls have since drawn heavy scrutiny — both shifting the outcome of one of the AFC North’s most heated battles.
With 2:52 left in the fourth quarter, quarterback Aaron Rodgers launched a deep pass toward DK Metcalf that was intercepted by Bengals corner Jordan Battle. Replays revealed the throw sailed inches beyond Metcalf’s fingertips before contact, appearing
uncatchable. Despite the magnitude of the play, referees refused to initiate a review, handing Cincinnati possession that led to the game-winning field goal.
Aaron Rodgers has ~words~ for the officials after this is ruled an INT
pic.twitter.com/vFav3z5qm6 — Jori Epstein (@JoriEpstein) October 17, 2025
The moment sparked outrage across X under the trending tag #RiggedTNF, with analysts calling it one of the season’s biggest officiating failures.
“That’s a play that changes standings, playoff implications, and locker rooms,” said former ref analyst Terry McAulay. “If that’s not reviewed, what is?”
Earlier, a questionable holding call on center
Zach Frazier in the third quarter erased a key conversion and killed a promising Steelers drive. On film, Frazier appeared to anchor perfectly — no grab, no twist, no pull — yet the 10-yard penalty forced a punt.
“That call was soft,” wrote ESPN’s Mina Kimes. “You can’t penalize clean blocking in that moment.”
Even Bengals fans admitted online that something felt off, noting the 11–4 penalty imbalance
that consistently pushed Pittsburgh backward. And while Cincinnati celebrated, Ray Lewis’ unexpected defense of his long-time rival stole the postgame spotlight.
“You don’t have to wear black and gold to see what happened,”
he said. “You don’t cheat the game to win it. If the NFL ignores this, then the message is clear — fairness is optional.”
The league has yet to release any official statement on the officiating controversy, but pressure is mounting for the NFL’s competition committee to review the tape.
As Lewis concluded, “The Bengals got the win. The Steelers got robbed. But what really lost tonight — was the integrity of football itself.”